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Shop Small, Shop Local: Support Chicago’s Neighborhood Businesses This Holiday Season
As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to consider the impact of where we shop. Supporting small, local businesses not only helps fuel Chicago’s economy but also strengthens our communities.
This year, make a commitment to shop small and explore the diverse businesses across our city. Whether you're searching for a unique gift, delicious holiday treats, or one-of-a-kind experiences, local shops offer something for everyone on your list.
To make holiday shopping even easier, check out Block Club Chicago’s Ultimate Guide To Shopping Local In Chicago For The Holidays 2024. This comprehensive guide allows you to shop by neighborhood, showcasing hundreds of gift ideas from local businesses across the city.
Let’s make this holiday season one of community, connection, and support for the small business owners who make Chicago vibrant!
Endorsed By:
Alderman Anthony Beale
Alderman Felix Cardona
Alderman Peter Chico
Alderwoman Angela Clay
Alderwoman Ruth Cruz
Alderman Derrick Curtis
Alderwoman Jessie Fuentes
Alderman James Gardiner
Alderwoman Maria Hadden
Alderman William Hall
Alderwoman Michelle Harris
Alderman Brian Hopkins
Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth
Alderman Tim Knudsen
Alderman Dan LaSpata
Alderman Bennett Lawson
Alderman Matt Martin
Alderwoman Emma Mitts
Alderman David Moore
Alderman Anthony Napolitano
Alderwoman Julia Ramirez
Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa
Alderman Lamont Robinson
Alderman Mike Rodriguez
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez
Alderman Nicholas Sposato
Alderwoman Silvana Tabares
Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor
Alderman Gilbert Villegas
Alderman Andre Vasquez
Alderman Scott Waguespack
Alderman Desmond Yancy
SBAC on the Move: Advocating for the Small Business Community
At the SBAC, we’re committed to ensuring that small businesses have a seat at the table regarding policymaking. Over the last few months, the SBAC has heavily engaged with policymakers and community leaders to advocate for small businesses. From forums to roundtables, we’ve connected with key decision-makers throughout Illinois. Our calendar of events is a great one-stop SBAC event page to stay connected and check out upcoming legislative events to attend.
Here’s a roundup of a few recent events:
Greater Wheeling Chamber Legislative Forum
The SBAC and the Greater Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a community-driven legislative forum featuring key legislators. Among those present were Congressman Brad Schneider, State Senator Adriane Johnson, and State Representatives Mary Beth Canty, Daniel Didech, and Tracy Katz Muhl. Attendees could engage directly with lawmakers, ask questions, and share concerns on issues affecting their community and businesses.
Hospitality Industry Roundtable
Our team recently participated in the Illinois Restaurant Association's monthly roundtable to discuss small business trends in the restaurant business. State Representative Tracy Katz Muhl and Julie Morrison, along with employment attorney Robert Bernstein, were among the panelists opening up a discussion about key initiatives the SBAC is pursuing at both the city and state levels. Read more about the SBAC initiatives HERE.
Skokie Legislative Forum
The Skokie Chamber of Commerce invited the SBAC to moderate their annual event. SBAC President Elliot Richardson invoked a lively discussion between Illinois legislators and local business owners. Participants could ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of small business advocacy in Illinois with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Senator Villivallam, Senator Fine, Senator Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Skokie Chamber Executive Director Howard Meyer, Representative Kevin Olickal, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, and Senior Advisor to State Treasurer Frerichs, Marty McCormack.
Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition (NRC) Meeting
The Small Business Advocacy Council, alongside a dedicated coalition of stakeholders, has united with a common goal: to revitalize, empower, and connect commercial corridors within Cook County, ushering our community into a thriving economic future. This collaborative initiative is driven by grassroots engagement, impactful policy advocacy, and educational initiatives. The Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition (NRC) is crucial in advancing policies that benefit small businesses across the city. To learn more about the NRC or get involved, click HERE (NRC).
Prescription Drug Affordability Board Town (PDAB) Hall
The SBAC joined policymakers and advocates at a town hall discussing legislation aimed at reducing the excessive cost of prescription drugs. High insurance premiums remain a barrier for small businesses trying to provide quality health coverage for their employees. The town hall shed light on proposed legislation that would offer much-needed relief. Representatives Nabeela Syed, Terra Costa-Howard and Senator Mary Edly-Allan were present to field questions and respond to concerns. Learn more about our work on PDAB here!
Small Business Roundtable with Senator Preston
Senator Preston invited the SBAC to participate in a community roundtable alongside Greater Englewood Chamber Executive Felicia Slaton-Young, Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation Director Carlos Nelson, and other leaders to discuss strategies, specifically the 2025 agenda and how to assist and strengthen small businesses in the 16th Senate District.
Midway Chamber Membership Meeting
The SBAC was pleased to join the Midway Chamber of Commerce Membership Meeting to discuss the Chicago Small Business Package and other initiatives focused on eliminating barriers and creating new opportunities for small businesses in Chicago. Read more about the Chicago Small Business Package here.Â
UBC / SBAC Lunch & Learn
Tax Credits & Financial Opportunities for Small BusinessesÂ
The SBAC along with Uptown Chamber hosted an informative lunch discussion reviewing possible tax credits and other financial opportunities/incentives for small businesses. This event, moderated by the SBAC's Elliot Richardson, highlighted programs such as the tax credit for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and ways to access capital. To learn more on possible opportunities, visit the SBAC's Grant and Incentives page.
Calling all employers: Third Fair Chance Hiring Cohort launching in Winter 2025! Â
Join the Fair Chance movement and a growing network of business leaders that recognize the benefit of hiring justice-impacted individuals.
What we do:Â We work with companies to hire, retain, and advance justice-impacted talent (who represent 1 in 3 working-age Americans). We get to know each company's current policies, share best practices, and provide hands-on support to help your organization decide where and how to take action to pursue fair chance hiring.
Why us? Our nine-month programming brings together business leaders, for best practices, customized coaching, and peer learning to support companies on their fair chance journey. We cover topics ranging from revisiting your background check process to recruiting strategies and partnerships, to launching and scaling fair chance hiring pilots - and more.
Who should join? If your company wants to pursue fair chance hiring and is looking for support to bring this goal to life, this cohort is for you! We ask that employers come ready and eager to (1) share their goals, successes, and challenges with each other and (2) actively identify and drive HR and organizational changes to hire this talent pool.
Want to learn more? Reach out to Steph Dolan (steph.dolan@corpcoalition.org) and Liana Bran (lbran@carachicago.org) to hear why businesses are pursuing fair chance talent and learn more about our program, opportunities to take action, and results from our previous cohorts. You can also learn more here.
Breaking Barriers: How Tax Incentives Empower Employers to Hire Reentry Populations and Transform Communities
"The passage of the $1,500-$7500 tax incentive for employers to help subsidize hiring people from reentry populations is a great way to help integrate people who are highly motivated populations excited to get their lives back on track who are ready to become productive members of society in a meaningful way. As a lifelong champion for the cause and pioneering partner with state and county criminal systems in providing housing, and services including workforce training and employment for tens of thousands of reentry populations since 1994, this tax incentive will undoubtedly help overcome one of the biggest barriers they face to mainstreaming back into our communities - landing a job. As an employer, who has hired hundreds of people with criminal justice backgrounds during my time as a nonprofit employer serving the homeless, I believe that the work ethic, enthusiasm, and eagerness they bring to their jobs to help their customers and employers grow will in most cases break the stigma associated with reentry populations and even surpass expectations of almost every employer willing to take a chance on taking advantage of this program. It's a win/win/win and I believe that over time the data will show that perhaps this tax incentive will serve as one of the most important missing links needed to close the gap and solve the root causes of crime and violence and the high recidivism and costs associated with these issues happening in our cities".
-Neli Vazquez Rowland, President of GOLZ, LLC and Co-Founder and former President of A Safe Haven Foundation.
Learn more about this tax credit here!
The Small Business Advocacy Council and NAWBO Chicago are hosting a special Legislative Panel Discussion on Thursday, September 26th, at 8:30 AM, at Hera Hub Chicago (405 W Superior Street, Room 200C).
Our engaging panel will feature prominent state legislators, including State Representative Robyn Gabel, State Senator John Curran, and State Senator Laura Fine, with Stephanie Posey, Attorney at Posey Law Group LLC, serving as the moderator. The discussion will focus on critical issues impacting women-owned businesses in Illinois.
Seating is limited so register today to secure your spot—tickets are just $20! Click here to sign up or scan the QR code in the flyer.
Do you own a small business struggling to find talent? Are you responsible for hiring employees at your company? Do you want to connect with outstanding students and future industry leaders from DePaul University?
DePaul University is hosting its upcoming Local Business & Part-Time Job Expo on Thursday, September 5th, from 12-5 pm. This event will be held on the Quad of DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus, offering an excellent opportunity for students and local businesses to connect. Not only will this provide businesses an opportunity to attract talented students for future employment opportunities, they will also be visible to the DePaul University community!
We are thrilled to support this event and help facilitate connections between local businesses and the next generation of talent. Registration for the expo will close on August 26th, so be sure to secure your spot soon. Learn more and register here!
August 6, 2024
We are excited to share some updates about the work we are doing to support the small business community! You can visit our website to learn more about all our advocacy efforts.
Enhanced Tax Credit for Hiring Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Last year we championed a law focused on reducing the costs of health insurance for Illinois small businesses. This was a big win for small businesses.
This year we worked with legislators and stakeholders to enhance the tax credits available to businesses that hire formerly incarcerated individuals. This tax credit was increased from 5% to 15% of qualified wages, and the ceiling was raised from $1,500 to $7,500! These enhanced tax credits can support small businesses struggling to fill positions, foster opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals, improve public safety, and reduce the costs of recidivism.
The General Assembly allocated $1,000,000.00 to this program so small businesses should start looking into this now! To learn more, click here.
Chicago Small Business Package
The SBAC and a robust, diverse, and impactful coalition are advocating for reforms to eliminate barriers and streamline processes for Chicago small businesses. Some key proposals include streamlining zoning requirements, improving city processes, and ensuring past, far-removed debts do not unreasonably delay entrepreneurs from launching their businesses.
Chicago needs successful small businesses to foster economic development!  We already have the support of 18 aldermen/alderwomen and are pushing hard to get all 50 to formally endorse the package!  Learn more here.
Burdensome Regulations and Small Businesses
There is no reason overly burdensome regulations should hurt small businesses and have a detrimental impact on local communities. We continue working to fully implement a law that requires state agencies to consider the impact of new regulations on small businesses.  We will have additional updates soon.
Stay Connected and Engaged
Our momentum continues to grow and with your support, we will continue making a huge difference for small businesses! Please be sure to check out all the ways you can connect with business owners and advocates on our events flyer. Thank you for supporting the SBAC and small business community!
